All Christians believe there’s a place waiting for them after their demise because they believe in God’s word, The Holy Bible. They know they’ll be in a much better place because God’s word describes what lies ahead for all of the people who believe there is a “heaven,” a “home” for God’s people.
The Holy Bible, King James Version, New Testament and in Matthew 6:19 – 21, it says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Christians believe that their riches are in heaven and their aim is to invest in the talents and goodness given from God knowing there is “no-one” who can steal what they have in their hearts and souls for man-kind. A person who reaches out and responds in a kind and passionate manner are sowers of seeds of faith and hope to non-believers; and they realize the importance of investing in God’s desires from them.
People might ask a Christian what is heaven and how do they know there’s a heaven. In the New Testament and in John 14: 1 – 3, God’s word tells people, “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you into myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
These verses clearly tell us God is preparing a place for His children and they will one day be with Him in heaven. Heaven is Jesus’ Fathers’ House and “we” will all be there one day as His word tells people.
People may also want to know where heaven is located; it ascends “up,” as it tells people in Ephesians 4: 10, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” And in Acts 1: 10, “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel.”
The Bible also tells us in the New Testament in Hebrews 9: 24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Jesus will appear as the Lamb of God.
And in 1 Peter 1: 4 God’s word tells people that heaven is reserved for them forever, and saying, “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you.”
Isn’t it rewarding to know there’s a better place being prepared for us in heaven where Christians will enjoy other Christians, and as it says in the New Testament in Ephesians 2: 19, “Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God?”
There are many people who have died and said they saw heaven during their death experiences and some have described a realm beyond description; but the Bible tells people in the New Testament in 1 Cor. 2: 9, “But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.”
Therefore, in my opinion, I don’t think any of us can actually describe what heaven will look like but I believe it will be beyond description.
In studying about heaven I’ve realized that there are three heavens and the first heaven according to the Old Testament in Genesis 1: 14 it tells people, “And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.”
And, the second heaven is where the stars, the sun, and the moon reside. The space is beyond the earth and it covers the entire universe; and the third heaven is unseen and is the residence of God, including Jesus Christ. The dead martyrs and saints are there today. God’s throne is located here and it’s where the holy angels surround his throne singing day and night, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God. See (Rev. 4: 8 – 11)
Christians are aware now that God resides in the third heaven; and He’s waiting to welcome His children into the Kingdom of Heaven. (See 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 – 18) “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Barbara Kasey Smith is the writer of this article and it is based on The Holy Bible, King James Version, New and Old Testaments and in Verses as stated in context.